Proprietors of business establishments, particularly textile showrooms and jewellery shops, in Srikakulam are in a jubilant mood, thanks to brisk business during Sankranti.

Sale of dress materials has gone up by around 25 per cent, with people from rural areas thronging shops in big numbers. In fact, traders had been apprehensive about poor sales owing to the impact of Cyclone Hudhud on several mandals in the district in October.

Interestingly, farmers are spending more this season, thanks to the implementation of the loan waiver scheme. In normal course, farmers have to clear debts with their own income, which is now used to meet the Sankranti expenditure.

Moreover, agriculture and horticulture yield was abundant this time. Those who suffered losses due to Cyclone Hudhud also received compensation, which helped them celebrate Sankranti. “We could not celebrate Sankranti properly in 2012 and 2013 owing to Laila and Phailin cyclones, which devastated the entire Uddanam region. Hudhud’s impact was relatively minimal on coconut, cashew and other crops. It helped us get yield in December itself.

The government’s loan waiver for marginal farmers has helped a lot,” said K. Appala Naidu, a farmer from Narasannapeta.

The Srikakulam textile market depends mainly on the rural population, as elite sections prefer to do shopping in Visakhapatnam. Srikakulam District Textile and Readymade Shops Association president Patnala Srinivasa Rao said business was on expected lines.

“Majority of textile business is moving to Berahampur in Odisha, Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram. Retaining the market is very important. We plan to construct an exclusive market if the government supports us,” he added.

Source: TH